Mumbai is set for a significant boost in public healthcare infrastructure, with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and the Maharashtra government announcing plans to establish three new government cancer hospitals over the next four years, alongside a major expansion of robotic surgery facilities across key civic hospitals by 2030.
The initiative comes amid a steady rise in cancer cases across the country and aims to strengthen access to affordable, advanced treatment in the city. At present, Tata Memorial Hospital remains the primary government facility handling cancer cases not only from Mumbai and Maharashtra but also from across India, often leading to heavy patient load and long waiting periods.
Under the new expansion plan, dedicated cancer hospitals are being developed at major civic institutions, including Lokmanya Tilak Municipal General Hospital (Sion) and BYL Nair Hospital. A separate 13-storey cancer facility is under construction at Sion Hospital as part of its redevelopment phase, which will include 200 beds along with advanced services such as radiotherapy, chemotherapy and PET-CT scanning. Treatment at the facility will be available under government schemes at subsidised or free rates.
At Nair Hospital, a seven-storey comprehensive cancer care centre is in its final stages and is expected to become operational by 2027. The facility will bring chemotherapy, radiation therapy and diagnostic services under one roof, with the capacity to treat 200 to 250 patients daily and conduct nearly 8 to 10 PET-CT scans each day.
In parallel, the state government is planning a cancer hospital and research centre with over 200 beds near Sir JJ Hospital. The project is proposed on approximately 11 acres of land currently belonging to Richardson & Cruddas, with discussions already underway with the Revenue Department.
Alongside infrastructure expansion, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has also set a target to introduce robotic surgery across major hospitals by 2030. While the technology is currently available at King Edward Memorial Hospital in orthopaedics, it is expected to be extended to hospitals such as Sion, Nair and Cooper, while JJ Hospital is also preparing for full-scale expansion across departments.
Officials believe these developments will significantly improve cancer care access and modernise surgical treatment across Mumbai’s public healthcare system.
Source: The Free Press Journal
